Nancy Smith

Nancy Ann (Coon) Smith, 93, long-time resident of Royal Oak, Michigan, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, in her home with her family by her side. She was born in 1932 to Edward and Helen Coon in Detroit, Michigan. Nancy was a loving wife, a mother to seven children and a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. In 1952, Nancy married her high school sweetheart, John Smith. Nancy, and her deceased husband John, were members of the first graduating class of Shrine High School in 1950.
Music and art were a big part of Nancy's life. After beginning piano lessons at age 5, she continued her studies with various teachers and became an exceptional pianist. As a teenager, Nancy was the accompanist for classes and performances at the Borgo Sisters Dance School. Nancy often performed piano solos and duets at local churches and for music societies in the Detroit area.
Nancy taught private piano lessons in her home for almost 70 years. She loved teaching piano, and her students adored her. She also taught her own children how to play the piano and insisted that they also play an instrument in the school band or orchestra. In 1983, Nancy received certification to teach Suzuki Piano. She used this method along with her own approach and materials to teach young students, including many of her grandchildren. Nancy was a life-long member of the Royal Oak Musicale. Many young musicians received scholarships from the Musicale after auditioning for the group in Nancy's living room. Nancy also had a beautiful voice and was proud of her participation as a soprano in the Rackham Choir and Oakland University Chorus, among others.
Nancy was an accomplished artist, and her home was always adorned with her lovely paintings. Christmas cards, birth announcements and note cards were often hand-made to the delight of many. Through the years, Nancy participated in many local Art Fairs, including the Royal Oak Art Fair at Memorial Park. Her artwork can be found in the homes of her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Nancy and John traveled extensively and were able to visit every continent with the travel club Nomads. They loved traveling, and Nancy always shared their fabulous trips with their children by making photo books of each excursion. Both Nancy and John were Detroit Symphony patrons for more than 50 years. They were loyal audience members for the Thursday Night Concerts Series at both Ford Auditorium and Orchestra Hall.
Nancy's children and grandchildren fondly remember the many family reunion trips that were coordinated by Nancy between 1997 and 2017. She designed a T-shirt for everyone to wear on each trip and always organized a myriad of fun word games for the family to play.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband John of 68 years, and is survived by her seven children, Chris Smith (Jennifer), Katie Lorts (Dan), Sally Kane (Tim), Rose Okada, Gordon Smith, Marti Smith (Mark Gastmeyer), and Larry Smith (Becky). She also leaves behind grandchildren Kelli Moore, Wendi Bryant (David), Claire Lorts (Ken Hull), Ted Lorts (Teya), Tiara Kane, Haley Asfar (Milad), Max Smith, Owen Smith, and Keegan Sutherland, along with many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life for Nancy will be held on a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra or the Royal Oak Musicale Student Aid Fund.